The SIHH opened the doors at the Palexpo in Geneva on monday, january 19th, 2015 with yet another ace out of the Panerai DNA: a new Mare Nostrum Titanio chronograph (PAM00603) with mechanical hand-wound OP XXV calibre with a power reserve of 55 hours. The movement is developed on a Minerva 13-22 base with 18.000 vibrations per hour.

The 52 mm tonneau shaped case of the Mare Nostrum Titanio chronograph is made of brushed titanium, including a solid caseback, crown and pushers. Its water resistance is up to 3 bar. Typical for titanium watches from Panerai, this new Mare Nostrum Titanio chronograph bears a brown dial with two levels, just as the first vintage Mare Nostrum chronograph from 1943.

The chronograph functions are controlled by two push buttons, reading the central seconds hand and a minute counter dial at 3 o’clock. The permanent second hand is at 9 o’clock. The new Mare Nostrum Titanio is a Special Edition with only 150 units. Its great to see that the historic design of the Mare Nostrum chronograph from the 1940’s will be carried into the future of the brand with this new release at the 2015 SIHH.

[for further informations visit www.panerainovelties.com or www.panerai.com]

Returned from the SIHH 2014 in Geneva, took home lots of impressions and input on the new released Panerai models, which represent the future of the brand.

Impressive to enter the Panerai booth first: every visitor comes along the “legends”, walking inside is guided by historic models and instruments which carry the Panerai DNA: left and right, the entrance was equipped with Vintage Panerai models 3646, 6152, 6152/1 Angelus, 6152/1 Lefty, Mare Nostrum, compass and depth gauge as well as the famous PreVendome 5218-202/A . So, before you get know the future, you got to know the past – where the brand has its origins and where all the models got their shape from. Other brands of the Richemont family carry their guests into created worlds, themes and visions while Panerai keeps his roots clearly visible – at their booth and in the displays that presented the new models.

On a side note during the past days it seems that in the Panerai collectors world it has become a “tradition” to criticize whatever announced new and modern, which let me – as a long term “paneristi” (who got in touch with Panerai in 1998) wonder if there are some collectors around which would be ever satisfied with any of the watches Panerai introduces to their customers… How could Panerai exist if they would build only Base or Marina models in steel? Years ago the inhouse movements were a big step into the right direction – to survive in the world of luxury brands, trying to stay attractive in the market and under an endless number of competitors. Panerai is going without doubt its own way, which has been a successful one in past and hopefully becomes an ongoing and successful one in the future.

Inbetween all this, we can obviously take notice of watch collectors which decided to go another way, maybe just recently or maybe already years ago. They seem to enjoy coming back to places they once joined with pleasure sharing the passion for the same brand, but this time – since years when at the SIHH new models are presented – they throw mud over the pond to underline how much they dislike the new models. [Note to myself: if I ever would quit with Panerai for whatever reason – the last thing I would do is come back and express my negative comments.] We all know how easy it is to talk and write something bad, and how much more it takes to even try to understand the way which Panerai decided to go into the future.

This year’s new Radiomir 1940 chronographs are quite special and limited (50 pices each). Yes, they are expensive, they are made of precious metals – platinum (PAM518), pink gold (PAM519) and white gold (PAM520). Not watches for the “average paneristi” in regards of price and availability, but for sure these watches will find a lot of attraction around the world. On the wrist they appear huge and heavy but als comfortable to wear. The 45 mm cased bicompax chronographs in the new released “Radiomir 1940” case are powered with the hand-wound Panerai OPXXV movement. The dial, subdials and hands of the watch remind me on the legedary “Mare Nostrum” chronograph from the 1940s. I wonder if and when I will see one of these three references “in real” on a wrist of a Panerai collector.

New Luminor Base models (PAM560, PAM561 and PAM562) as well as new Luminor Marina models (PAM563, PAM564) in steel with white or black dial and also titanium cases with tobacco dials – all with the new inhouse P.5000 movement, entirely executed by Panerai. History repeating – once more in the Panerai history, 8-day-movements replacing movements with less power reserve, just like it happened with the Angelus movements many decades ago.

Another 44 mm Panerai will come with this P.5000 movement – the PAM590. First exclusively for the north american market, the watch bears the legendary 8 GIORNI BREVETTATO logo on its dial. In the first moment a bit “untypical” because of the missing “3” on the right side of the dial, it looks quite special and could be a quick selling piece.

Another unique edition chrono (300 pieces) is the 1950 Chrono Monopulsante left-handed 8 Days Titanio (long name!) – PAM579. The hand-wound P.2004/9 movement from Panerai is a fast runner (28.000 a/h), fitted into the 47 mm Luminor case. The single-button chronograph’s counters are placed in the center of the dial. Ecru and Tobacco are giving the face of the watch a warm appearance, matching the titanium case and titanium chrono button. A display back let the owner see the power reserve indicator. Another complication combined in a historic case – future meets history left-handed.  Another left-handed legend surfaced in the shape of the PAM557. Regular production PAM372 got a brother in shape of this historic icon, powered with the P.3000 movement in stainless steel. If this isnt a watch which paneristi were waiting for a long time, I don’t know what els to say than “finally a 47 mm Destro in steel!”…

Panerai added two huge and heavy pocket watches into their portfolio in 2014. Unique editions PAM529 (white gold) and PAM447 (pink gold) in 50 mm (50 pieces each) with P.3001/10 inhouse movement. With hinged cover and chain, Panerai offers these traditional timekeepers to their customers.

Last but not least, a Pendulum Clock (PAM500) rounds up the new releases in 2014. Inspired by Galileo’s discovery in the 17th century, the “measure of time” beats again in a creation from Officine Panerai. The pendulum of Galileo Gallilei, device for measuring time which marked a turning point in horology because it opened the doors of the modern era. The law of isochronism of the pendulum says: “The period of each swing of a simple pendulum, that is, one with a weight attached by an inelastic thread to a fixed support, is independent of the amplitude of the swing.” (Galileo Galilei)

The Panerai Pendulum Clock is a faithful reproduction of the instrument designed by the Tuscan genius. The PAM500 is based on the model made by the Florentine clockmaker Eustachio Porcellotti in 1887. It is an almost exact interpretation of Porcellotti’s work which was once published in the very first Panerai brochures in the late 1990s (see the Panerai book, written by Negretti in 1997/1998, page 15). The Art of Timekeeping comes in shape of a key wound mechanical movement, a power reserve of 8 days, with one barrel. It shows hours and minutes on a sandblasted glass with roman numerals. The Pendulum Clock is placed in a aluminium framed glass on a mahagony base, personalised with PANERAI.

May the new models from the SIHH 2014 not pleased every Panerai collector, at least – as an enthusiast of the brand’s history – I was pleased. Why? Because when I left the Panerai booth, I passed the “legends” again – historic watches and instruments, of which I was able to see many details in the new models – even in gold and complications… [Volker Wiegmann]

Returned home from my visit at the SIHH in Geneve last friday. It was great to see that Panerai continue to use their DNA in the new collection.

Aside new models without the crown protecting device (PAM 514, 515) in 47 mm, following the introduction models from last year, also models in 42 mm were introduced (PAM 512, 513). Also the new Submersible models are noteable: another bronze watch (PAM 507) – with power reserve indicator, and a ceramic version (PAM 508), both in 47 mm, are really huge pieces and will surely get a lot of friends in the Panerai collectors world.

My personal highlight was the new “Regatta Chrono” (PAM 526) in a 47 mm Luminor case, which is powered with P.9100/R movement. As Panerai is strongly linked to the world of classic yachts, a watch with perfect functionality for sailing is in my opinion a great achievement. Congratulations!

The P.9100/R automatic movement has a diameter of 31 mm, it is 9.55 mm thick, 37 jewels and made up of 328 components. It has the flyback chrono function with vertical clutch and column wheel. It has a power reserve of  3 days. The small subdial at 3 o’clock shows a complete mini Panerai dial – a very nice detail. To put on this watch was a pleasure, with 47 mm it is really a huge impressive watch, which wears excellent with the rubber strap… Like!

Another chrono found my instant attention as well: the new Luminor 1950 3 Days Chrono Flyback in 44 mm (PAM 524). Its engine, the P.9100 movement, is the first automatic movement with chronograph functions developed by Officine Panerai and its produced entirely in its Manufacture in Neuchatel / Switzerland. The movement has a diameter of 31 mm with a height of 8.15 mm, also 37 jewels and made of 302 components. Two spring barrels give it a power reserve of 72 hours. The luminous material in patina color gives it a nicely vintage touch. This watch is, as the Regatta chrono (PAM 526) above, partially polished and brushed – very fine surface treatments, excellent!

Sorry for the crappy smartphone pictures… you can find much better photos, taken by Martin Wilmsen at the paneristi.com SIHH 2013 section.
[Volker Wiegmann]

Well done! The new website from Panerai looks excellent: www.panerai.com

A local Panerai AD in Hesse state’s capital city Wiesbaden, Juwelier Stoess (www.stoess.eu), is having a special Panerai exhibition for two weeks (february 25th to march 10th) with a completely “Panerai corporate designed shop window” which is getting a lot attraction in Wiesbaden’s famous shopping area Wilhelmsstrasse – close to the well known Kurhaus / Casino.

There are special and rare Panerai models in the display, also some Vintage Panerai instruments are placed. Beside a battery powered light gun, a so called Elettrosegnalatore GPF 1/58, two parts of Arillo’s “Trittico” in their wooden storage box are in the spot: a Luminor depth gauge (16 meters) and a Luminor compass.

Returned home from my visit at the SIHH in Geneve yesterday. It was great to see that Panerai continue to use their DNA in the new collection.

My personal highlight was “the return of the 8 mm crown” (PAM 399) on a Luminor case, which was only produced with the legendary crown protecting device in modern Panerai watches since 1993. This type of crowns have been used on vintage Panerai watches of the references 6152, 6154 and 6152/1 (Rolex 8 mm Brevet crown). You can find more info in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References” in chapter VI.III on page 325.

Features of the watch:
Reference: PAM399
Case: 47mm AISI 316L polished steel
Movement: Hand-wound mechanical,exclusive Panerai OP XXVII calibre, base Minerva 16-17
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds
Water resistance: 30 metres
Crystal: Plexiglas 3.0 mm
Back: See-through sapphire crystal

You can find a detailled overview of the 2012 models at www.paneristi.com, also at www.panerai.com

As a vintage Panerai enthusiast, it was a big pleasure for me to see the famous “74” Ref. 6152/1 watch with Angelus movement and single pencil hands on display at the Panerai booth! Panerai showed a couple of special and rare watches, also the PAM203 with vintage Angelus movement (a special edition model of the year 2005).

Our fellow collector friend Assaf Burstein from Israel provided some very nice comparing photos of the brand new PAM372 next to his 6152/1.

It is great to see that Panerai has introduced a watch with so many historical features, carrying the DNA of the brand into the future.

The long waited for “fiddy base” watch is here, giving applause to the designers in Milan.

Paneristi wanted this watch since years –
Panerai made it real!

Technical details of the “Luminor 1950” PAM372 (find more at www.panerai.com):
Hand-wound mechanical, Panerai P.3000 calibre, executed entirely by Panerai, 16½ lignes, 5.3 mm thick, 21 jewels, Glucydur balance, 21,600 alternations/hour. Incabloc anti-shock device. Power reserve 3 days, two barrels. 160 components.

Functions:
Hours, minutes.

Case
Diameter 47 mm, polished steel.

Bezel
Polished steel.

Back
See-through sapphire crystal.

Device protecting the crown
(protected as a Trademark) Brushed steel.

Dial
Black with luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers.

Interesting to see the case construction / shape from different views. The lugs are comming out of the case much deeper than on the original 6152/1 case. They reminds on the lugs of the 6152 and 6154 watches, which is underlined by the strong edges on the sides of the PAM372 case. From a top view this is nearly not visible, but good to see from Asi’s comparing photos. Nice, that Panerai placed the reference numbers between the lugs, just like on their “vintage grandfathers”, which hold the Rolex reference number and individual six digit case number.

By the way: “Asi, it looks good on your wrist, and nice shirt too!”

The “Luminor Panerai” engraved dial is just great! The old font has been used for that, which is much nicer than the modern Helvetica font. Giving applause to the fact that the names are not printed onto the dial, but engraved into the dial. The “double pencil” hands seem to be a little bit too small / short, but I can imagine that this will be changed on later production models. It would be not the first time, that Panerai presented a watch to the public at the SIHH which later appears with small modifications… On the display back we can find again the historical correct fonts used for the “OFFICINE PANERAI BREVETTATO” – very nice! The see-thru chrystal is a nice feature to show the new P.3000 movement.

The trademark signatures on the crown protecting device are causing a little “head down” in me, but as it is the number 1 feature of the brand, Panerai must bring it – honestly I would have been off the roof to see an engraved “BREV. ITAL.” on the backside of the crown protecting device. Overall its really a wonderful watch, the star of the 2011 Panerai collection for me. Regular production 3000 pcs., hopefully enough for all who like to wear the heritage of a legendary brand on their wrist …a Panerai “Luminor 1950”.

[photos by Assaf Burstein – thanks mate!]

Great news from Geneva today: Panerai presented the novelties of their 2011 collection.

One of the highlights are these two 47 mm watches, which got a lot attention immedately after they were released on the public forum at paneristi.com: PAM372 (Panerai P3000 cal. /regular production / 3000 units) and PAM368 (Panerai P2002/9 cal. / special edition / 1000 units), which use a lot DNA of the historical models, giving applause to the designers from Panerai for going this way!

The official Panerai website is updated – click here to see the novelties 2011.

Today we received the exhibition brochure from Panerai “Time and Space – a Tribute to Galileo Galilei” (92 pages, 21×21 cm). Our friend Piero Lapiana from Club Panerai got us a copy in english language during his visit of the exhibition (september 27th to october 2nd, 2010), as we were not able to come to Firenze to see it by ourself.

Interesting to see the timeline from Panerai (which we respectfully disagree in some points, based on our research which can be read in our 2nd book “Vintage Panerai – The References”), how they put the different models to production years. Its surely a nice read for all Panerai collectors who like to see pictures of watches from the Archivio Storico Panerai, which carries a huge amount of Panerai DNA.

We apreciate a lot that Panerai has opened their archives for the public and gave the visitors of the exhibition the chance to see these fantastic watches, like in 2007 during the exhibition for the 10th anniversary, “L’orologio Panerai”.

Just found this press release in the web today, highly recommended:

Officine Panerai returns to Florence, its city of origin, to celebrate a history of values and technical excellence that is unique in the world of leading watchmakers with an exhibition-event.  “Time and Space: a Tribute to Galileo Galilei” is the title of the exhibition set up at Ex3 – Contemporary Art Centre from 27th September to 2nd October 2010, where Officine Panerai will be displaying a collection of the most important watches and instruments from its historical and contemporary collections for the first time. The show culminates with the display containing an “astronomical” triptych made by Officine Panerai as a tribute to Galileo Galilei on the 400th anniversary of his first celestial observations. 

The exhibition goes into three phases in particular, covered by the three sections of the display.  The first is history and it uses selected items from the Panerai Museum to document the development and success of the Panerai brand from a Florentine workshop to a leading supplier of precision instruments to the Italian Navy. 

The second section deals with the success achieved by the brand worldwide, following the acquisition by the Richemont Group in 1997 – a large hall houses the watches that are most emblematic of the 13 years over which Officine Panerai renewed the glorious history of its brand’s icons: Luminor and Radiomir series watches.

The third section is dedicated to a Tribute to Galileo Galilei, the genius to whom Officine Panerai, in the name of the common Tuscan ancestry and of a love for science and innovation, has dedicated an “astronomical” triptych in 2010, made up of three exceptionally sophisticated models: the Astronomo (Luminor 1950 Equation of Time Tourbillon Titanium – 50 mm), the Scienziato (Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramic – 48 mm) and the Panerai Jupiterium planetary clock.

Location:
OFFICINE PANERAI
“Time and Space: a Tribute to Galileo Galilei”
September 27th to October 2nd 2010
(closed on Tuesday 28th) from 10 am to 7 pm
EX3 – Contemporary Art Centre
Viale Giannotti 81/85 – Firenze